Agenda item

Dan Kennedy - Deputy Director, Housing, Environment, Education, Health & Wellbeing, and Laura Baldry – Admissions and Allocations Officer, updated the Committee on the Council’s School Places Planning.

It was confirmed that every child within the Borough had been offered a primary or secondary school place as part of the latest admission round. Currently, the Council was maintaining sufficient spare places, which allowed for in-year admissions. Common reasons for in-year admissions included parental preference, residential development, or changing Ofsted school ratings.

Figures for primary schools places were showing a slight reduction in demand, which had not been anticipated three or four years previously. A similar reduction had been seen within other London boroughs, and possible reasons for the decline could be the EU referendum or affordability of homes within London, as well as throughput from a lower birth rate in 2014 to the current reception classes. In particular, schools close to physical barriers, or on the edge of heavy residential areas, were seeing a decline. The majority of remaining capacity was located within a small number of schools. Secondary schools had a smaller number of spare places, but like primary schools, spare capacity was within a small number of schools.

Since August 2018, Hillingdon had received 790 applications for primary school places, (200 of which were for children new to the country or Borough), and 430 for secondary school places (180 new to the country or Borough.) The start of a school year was recognised as being turbulent, with many parents moving their children to different schools as higher preferences became available, or as a result of families moving into the area.

It was forecasted that primary school places would remain mostly stable, though pockets of surplus places would need managing in light of the financial impact that unused places had on schools. Residential development within the Uxbridge and Hayes areas was expected to add additional pressure on places at local schools, however there was confidence that schools in nearby surrounding areas could meet any increased demand.

Demand for secondary school places was expected to increase, with many pupils travelling from the south to the north of the Borough for a school place. Modelling was continuing, and it was expected that schools in the north of the Borough would require 7 form entry, with 6 form entry in the south.

Approval had been granted for a new free school in the north of the Borough, though issues with securing a suitable location had resulted in a revised estimate of 2022/23 for its availability. As a contingency, the Council was reviewing options for the temporary expansion of existing schools.

Members sought further clarity and raised a number of questions, including:

Given that children in the south of the Borough were having to attend school in the north or outside of the Borough, and the difficulties in expanding schools in the south, why was the Council not exploring options for a new school in the south?

Council officers were reviewing all options though a defined process. The potential expansion of existing schools was reviewed first, before moving to the potential creation of new schools. Options for expansion would be assessed alongside planning officers, to take into consideration minimum space standards, parking provision, playing field space etc. If expansion was deemed unsuitable, then officers would then look at the creation of a wholly new school.

Was the forecast of secondary school need to 7 form entry in the north, and 6 form entry in the south, now completed/planned for?

The forecast had identified this need, but implementation was subject to planning approval. Some schools had already been expanded, e.g. Oakwood and Swakeleys, whilst expansions at other schools was underway, such as Vyners and Ruislip High.

The Local Plan Part 2 had identified an urgent need for 5 form entry at primary schools. Had this changed?

Demand for primary school places remained high in certain areas, such as Hayes. However, the reduced demand for places in other areas, such as Townfield, had helped to offset this. The Council was monitoring the situation and was confident that demand could be met. In the short term, bulge classes were an option, and there was unused classroom space available to accommodate these bulge classes. Officers were keeping the situation under close review.

How were geographic pinch points and fluctuating resident numbers factored into the school places forecast?

Such information was built into the forecast, with population numbers of neighbouring Boroughs regularly reviewed. Currently, population was fairly stable, though it was understood that this could change and affect demand for school places within Hillingdon.

Were bulge classes in secondary schools likely?

It was too early to comment on this. A report was being prepared to be presented to Members by the end of October, which would include details of potential school expansions, as well as the latest news on the new free school in the north of the Borough.

Officers were reminded that significant residential development in Yiewsley and other places would need to be closely monitored when forecasting demand for school places and assessing unfilled capacity.

It was agreed that Councillor Sweeting would forward a request for further information to officers outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.